Coronavirus is one of the most significant public health challenges we have faced in the past 100 years. Everyone is effected. However, the strain is particularly great for those working on the front line to detect and treat people who have come into contact with the virus.

Professionals working with populations who have underlying health care issues have an even greater challenge. Among the vulnerable populations are persons who smoke or vape, use opioids, or have a substance use disorder (SUD). 

In this paper, Nora D. Volkow describes the risk the virus is posing for particular groups...

Close to 11 million prisoners worldwide — as well as the officers who are charged with ensuring their safe, secure and humane custody — must not be forgotten during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Countries should recognize the particular risks which COVID-19 and the virus that causes it to pose to confined populations for which physical distancing is not an option.

This position paper, published by UNODC, outlines the importance of a controlled response to COVID-19 in prisons in order to reduce the potential harm it may cause to this particularly vulnerable group.

The nature of places of detention is that they are constructed to maximize public safety. 

This is highly likely to lead to people living in very close proximity of each other in often overcrowded conditions, which increases the probability of the transmission of viruses.

Overcrowding is an increasingly widespread problem in a number of countries and places of detention.

These guidelines, written by UNODC, are designed to help practice that will provide protection of people in custody and the staff against the spread of viruses.

COVID-19 is a global health crisis that is increasing the workload of healthcare professionals around the world.

In order to support practitioners during these critical circumstances, it is essential that everyone is informed about other health risks and hazards so that they can stay safe and healthy.

The following factsheet provides important information that you should know about alcohol consumption and COVID-19.

It addresses, among other things, the misinformation that is being spread through social media and other communication channels about alcohol and COVID-19.

The International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) recognises the heightened challenges the pandemic will pose for people struggling with Substance Use Disorders. In order to address the issue, they are holding a series of webinars with partners from different parts of the world, discussing challenges and solutions regarding the current pandemic from the addiction medicine perspective. The objective of these webinars is to support colleagues in the field of addiction medicine to learn from peers who either have undergone profound changes in service delivery or are on the brink of doing so...

Health care professionals around the world are fighting tirelessly to reduce the harm that is being caused by COVID-19.

Several public health organisations are creating and updating resources so that people can be updated on the changing situation and can use the knowledge to inform and adjust their practice.

NAADAC has brought together a selection of resources that offer both a general overview of the current climate as well as specific advice for health care professionals working in the DDR field.

Resources are grouped under the following headings:

• General Information 
• SUD...

The World Health Organisation defines telehealth as:

The use of telecommunications and virtual technology to deliver health care outside of traditional health-care facilities.

Well-designed telehealth schemes can improve health care access and outcomes, particularly for chronic disease treatment and for vulnerable groups. 

During this particular time, where movement and face to face contact between patient and practitioner is restricted, used effectively, telehealth can help people receive the care they need without putting them in further danger.

This publication defines...